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We have a big repair job that we need your help with: the electric fence that runs along the wall of our orphan gorilla enclosure.

It’s been a cycle of breaks and repairs over the last few months, and the gorillas have escaped a few times – it’s their favorite game. We’ve delayed a complete re-wiring/repair job because of the cost, but it can’t be delayed any longer.

After two gorilla-escapes last week, we decided to go for the complete repair. A shop in Goma graciously agreed to sell us the materials with a later pay date. The total cost is approximately $3870 and covers 15 roles of galvanized wire to cover 470 meters, a new battery (the fence is solar powered), isolators, and all kinds of other items.

The work begins today. Please help us cover this absolutely critical cost to keep our gorillas safe by clicking on the red Donate button on the top right of this blog.

The electric fence that circles the entire large enclosure

Although it can be kind of humorous for those of us who watched the scene of 5 men trying for an hour to get one 5-year-old gorilla back inside her enclosure, it wasn’t funny to Andre and the other caretakers. It actually causes them serious stress that the gorillas will eat something they aren’t used to and get sick, or hurt themselves in any number of other ways while they are outside.

Last Friday, the caretakers cleared the enclosure of every long pole they could find before letting the gorillas out of the night-house, but they missed a few and all three gorillas escaped. Here are some photos and video from Friday’s crazy Great Escape day.

Ndeze is the ring-leader. She places a tree branch up against the wall and easily reaches the top. If the electric fence is working, she won’t do it, but the gorillas can tell the second it shuts off. Andre pulled her down several times and removed the tree limb, but when he went back inside the building she found another one and all three escaped.

The caretakers got Ndakasi and Maisha back inside without too much trouble, but for Ndeze it’s a glorious game that she loves and she is a strong girl.

Andre tried to coax her inside with some treats, but she would keep one foot outside and watch the other humans closely who waited for an opportunity to slam the gates if she went in. Over and over they tried with no luck.

Veterinarian, Dr. Eddy, happened to be there on Friday and had a shot ready to use only if absolutely necessary. Ndeze, a very smart gorilla, knew exactly what that needle was for.

After more than an hour, Dr. Eddy finally gave her the shot which made her just drowsy enough for five men to get her inside. Andre held her while the drug started to take effect.

Here are a few video shots from the hour of trying to get Ndeze inside. We don’t want this to happen again, no matter how much Ndeze enjoys it.

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